of love The delays A Gospel for the Besieged 02 Laughter and Joy in a Place of Darkness 07 Jesus: The Greatest Teacher of All 10 (page 8)

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1 JANUARY 2016 / ISSUE #15 The delays of love (page 8) + A Gospel for the Besieged 02 Laughter and Joy in a Place of Darkness 07 Jesus: The Greatest Teacher of All 10

2 Jesus New Year s Resolutions Dear Friend Around this time of year you will read many articles about what people think about the New Year. People write about the political landscape, what they expect from the economy, whether there will be peace in the world, and what our new year s resolutions should be. Have you ever wondered what Jesus thinks about the New Year? Let me make some educated guesses. They are not too far off the mark because they are based on what the Bible tells us about Jesus Christ. Christ s heart is broken that millions of people died in 2015 without hearing the Good News of salvation. Christ looks with love upon millions more of his children who will face the evils of this world this year without the comfort that only he can provide. Jesus knows that with the coming of a new year, this world is closer to its end, and he longs to be reunited with his children in the kingdom made new. I pray that Jesus will be able to use the ministry of Good News Unlimited to fulfil his own new year s resolutions. They are new every year, and they are found in Luke 4:18 19 (NIV):...to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favour I invite you to make a commitment to join with Jesus Christ in his new year s resolution. Good News, freedom, spiritual sight, and the favour of the Lord: that s what Good News Unlimited is all about. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for being part of the story of the Good News in this world. Grace and Peace in Jesus! Eliezer Gonzalez Senior Pastor, Good News Unlimited contents 02 A Gospel for the Besieged 04 The Gospel and Religious Culture 06 Yesupadem Gives All He Has for the Gospel 07 Laughter and Joy in a Place of Darkness 08 The Delays of Love 10 Jesus: The Greatest Teacher of All 12 I am Proud and Honoured To do This Work for Jesus Christ! 14 My Whole Life Has Been Changed From Sadness into Joy 15 Are You Getting Enough? 16 Letters from our Readers

3 01 Editorial ARE WE alone IN THE UNIVERSE? Seventy-year-old Cambridge University professor Stephen Hawking, who is a physicist make it your mission to tell and cosmologist, claims that in our universe of others about the one who 100 billion galaxies, the probability that intelligent life died for them on the cross exists beyond our planet is very high. so that all their sins would be blotted out and they would be Other cosmologists are so convinced that intelligent given life overflowing. life exists elsewhere in the universe they are investing millions of dollars in the Search for Extra Terrestrial Life Ritchie Way or the SETI project. In the hope of making contact with Executive Editor these other worldly beings they are projecting a series of powerful, simple but intelligent radio signals into deep space. Is there life on other worlds? And if there is, why would they want to make contact with Earthlings? What do you think? The Bible is clear that there is intelligent life beyond Planet Earth, and that supernatural beings have visited us in conjunction with God s plan of salvation. One such being visited Gideon and persuaded him to replace the worship of Baal and Asherah with the worship of Jehovah (Judges chapters 6 & 7). Another supernatural being visited the future parents of Samson to tell them that their son had been chosen to deliver Israel from the Philistines that were oppressing them (Judges chapter 13). In New Testament times, a supernatural being visited Zechariah, to tell him he would have a son and was to name him John (Luke 1:8-80). It would be John s responsibility to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. The angel Gabriel visited Mary, who was engaged to marry Joseph (Luke 1:26-38), to tell her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. The Lord has not abandoned us. Over a long period of time he has sent his prophets to this world. And then, in the fullness of time, he came Himself, to assure you personally of his care and love for you, and for the whole human race. No, we are not alone in the universe. Because of that little baby born in a manger, the man on the dusty roads of Judea, the God on the Cross, you need never be alone again. That s the truest meaning of the Gospel. Unlimited MAGAZINE is published monthly by Good News Unlimited, Ltd. Good News Unlimited PO Box 973 Penrith NSW 2751 Phone: +61 (0) Executive Editor: Pastor Ritchie Way Design & Layout: Sidekick Creative Printer: Dunham+Company Access free GNU ebooks by Desmond Ford online at: Weekly meetings can be seen live by going to and clicking on Live Online Broadcast (in the menu under Resources). You can watch recent broadcasts in HD also. Mission Statement To spread the Word like wildfire through simple gospel content. GNU CONTACTS Orders, accounts & general enquiries: +61 (0) admin@goodnewsunlimited.com Editorial enquiries: Pastor Ritchie Way, Editor ritchiew@kiwilink.co.nz Senior Pastor: Dr Eliezer Gonzalez eliezer@goodnewsunlimited.com NZ GNU Office: Fraser and Kylie Burling +64 (0) B Rosier Road, Glen Eden Waitakere, New Zealand 0602 socrates@internet.co.nz Good News Unlimited is a transdemominational and non-profit gospel ministry. GNU is not a church, nor is it affiliated organically with any Christian denomination. GNU works with churches and Christian communities everywhere to Spread the Word fast. GNU is supported by gifts from those who believe in its ministry. Gifts are tax deductible only if given through the New Zealand or Canadian entities. Unsolicited gospel-based manuscripts on the essentials of the gospel are welcome, but without guarantee of publication or return. Authors are not paid. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from the publisher/editor. Donations can be sent online or by direct credit. Australia BSB: Account: International SWIFT code: WPACAU2S New Zealand ASB Account:

4 A GOSPEL FOR THE BESIEGED I m writing this as news reaches me that Islamic State jihadists killed over a hundred people in Paris. Hundreds more were injured in the attack. Christian governments are under siege in many countries. During the last six years, seventeen thousand Christians have lost their lives in the Lake Chad/ North-Eastern Nigeria region at the hands of the Muslim Boko Haram militants. Christians among the Moro people in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan fled their region under attack from Muslims. In Tanzania Christian churches are being destroyed by the Muslim community. Christians in Laos, where Buddhism is prevalent, are arrested for the crime of spreading the gospel. Almost all Christians in Iraq and Syria are now refugees, since IS has taken control of many areas. IS militants are beheading Ethiopian and Egyptian Christians in Libya. Buddists in Sri Lanka are persecuting Christians. As a babe, Jesus Himself and his parents were refugees, fleeing to Egypt under the threat of death. Later, Jesus accurately predicted persecution for His followers. Jews and Romans, especially, engaged in a murderous pursuit of early Christians. The apostles themselves were targeted. It is thought John, as an old man, wrote his Apocalypse while under house arrest on Patmos. John s Apocalypse is a portrayal of Jesus as the victor over Satan, a tableau of encouragement for Christians suffering persecution. Notice especially chapter 14. John wrote, I saw another angel flying in mid-air. (v.6). This is not the first angel he has seen in vision, but it is the first in this series of six angels. This first angel is symbolic of a gospel message. The angel is shouting, Be afraid of God and be giving Him glory because the hour of the judging of Him came, and be worshipping the one making the heaven and the land and the sea and springs of waters (v.7 literal translation). This is not the more familiar Pauline gospel of righteousness by faith. This gospel has its roots in the Gospel of John 12:31; 16:8-11, where the Cross is centre stage, and Satan is forever condemned because of Calvary. On the other hand, because of Calvary, Jesus is forever exonerated and judged as innocent of any wrongdoing. This judgment at the Cross has a sense of finality about it. The case has, as it were, gone before the Supreme Court of the Universe. All appeals are exhausted. The good news for the persecuted is that the court has ruled that the persecutor be securely imprisoned on death row. This judgment at the Cross has a sense of finality about it. Another angel declares the certainty of Satan s destruction. We catch John s excited tone when he repeats the words of the angel: Look at Babylon, she s falling, she s falling (v.8 literal translation). Those Christians being persecuted by the Romans, including John himself, must have chanted Hallelujah when they heard these angelic words. Yet another angel predicts the horrific nature of the destruction of evil. Some of this message is cast in the future. For example, the angel says evildoers will 02

5 03 experience God s fury and will be tormented with sulphur fumes up their nostrils. However, the present tense is also used in the same context. Apparently, since the Cross, the destruction of evil has already begun, for the angel said the sulphuric smoke is rising even now and presently there is no respite for the wicked (v.11 literal translation). A fourth angel in this series continues by describing a harvest scene. The language suggests it is the Second Advent, but John does not use the future tense. What he sees is so real for him, and so certain of its happening, that he describes it as if it has already occurred or is taking place at the time of writing. His prophetic eye colours it so graphically. The grain is dried (v.15), ideal for harvest at that time. If the grain represents the saints, then we can assume that this harvest is understood by John to be starting in his era. The fifth angel is mute (v.17), or John does not catch the words, but it is obvious this angel is assisting in the harvest. Finally, a sixth angel (v.18) is seen harvesting the grapes because they have reached maturity (literally mellowness ) and this fruit is totally destroyed, being the subject of God s fury. The picture of God at war with evil is a fearful sight. The victory of Jesus at Calvary and the guaranteed annihilation of Satan, together with all persecutors of Christians, is a bitter-sweet gospel. Its redeeming element is that those holy ones who are enduring [under persecution] and keeping the precepts of God and the faith of Jesus (v.12 literal translation) will triumph because Jesus triumphed. From John s viewpoint it is also true to say that the saints have already triumphed because Jesus has already triumphed. All things considered it remains good news for persecuted Christians. milton hook Previous Director of Good News Unlimited Dr Milton Hook is a West Australian who studied in America at a Lutheran Seminary and Andrews University. He has experience as a missionary in Papua New Guinea and a pastor and Bible lecturer in New Zealand, Australia and USA. He is the author of numerous articles and three books including the biography of Desmond Ford. The victory of Jesus at Calvary and the guaranteed annihilation of Satan, together with all persecutors of Christians, is a bitter-sweet gospel.

6 The Gospel and Religious Culture Perhaps the greatest theological question faced by the early church was the issue of whether the religious culture of the nation of Israel would continue as an essential part of the international kingdom that Christ was establishing on Earth. What part of Jewish religious culture, as set out in the Law of Moses, would continue under the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, and what part would be discontinued? The New Testament gives us a graphic picture of the conflict between the progressive Paul and the ultraconservative Jewish Christians over this very issue. Paul claimed that elements of the Law of Moses no longer applied outside the nation of Israel, while the Christian believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), all of them zealous for the law (Acts 21:20), fought to have circumcision practiced by the Gentile converts. Paul had no compunctions about observing the cultural aspects of Jewish law himself (Acts 21:17-26), because he was a Jew, but he was adamant that it wasn t necessary for people from non-jewish cultures to adopt the religious culture of Israel. Our culture, which gives us a framework in which to worship, fellowship and evangelise makes us acceptable to each other, while the gospel makes us acceptable to God. When seeking to win the Jews to Christ, Paul chose to live as a Jew and follow the religious cultural practices of Judaism. But when working with the Gentiles, he adopted the culture of the Gentiles wherever it did not conflict with God s will. He made it known: To those not having the law I became like one not having the law, so as to win those not having the law (1 Corinthians 9:21). And just as Paul was willing to live as a non-jew in order to reach the Gentiles with the gospel, so Hudson Taylor and Mother Teresa adopted the cultures of the countries that they evangelised in order to share the gospel with them. Our culture, which gives us a framework in which to worship, fellowship and evangelise makes us acceptable to each other, while the gospel makes us acceptable to God. Our culture is local, the gospel is universal. Our culture is temporal, the gospel is eternal. Our culture is the wineskin, the gospel is the wine. Our culture, however, consists of the commandments of men (Mark 7) and not the commandments of God. 04

7 05 The only absolute in the Christian faith is God himself, the One who changes not; who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachai 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). And as God is both a holy God and a merciful God, he is eternally righteous and just, and he is eternally gracious and forgiving. These absolutes of his nature, which are emphasised again and again throughout the Scriptures, are reflected in the moral law and in the gospel. With regard to the moral law, God s righteousness, reflected in the Ten Commandments, is an absolute. Our God is a holy God and it will never be acceptable, in his sight, to disrespect parents, commit murder, adultery or theft, etc. According to Scripture, people who are commandmentbreakers by nature will be eternally excluded from God s presence (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) for his kingdom is the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). With regard to the gospel, there is only one way of salvation and that is in Jesus. Salvation is found in no-one else (Acts 4:12). In fact, the gospel is so absolute the person or church that teaches that we can be saved by anything apart from faith in Jesus is eternally condemned: But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed (Gal 1:8-9). The apostle Paul deliberately steered Gentile converts away from the observation of Jewish cultural laws, such as circumcision (Acts 15:1-2; Heb 13:8), because the observance of these laws had a tendency to focus people s attention on what they did for God rather than on what God had done for them. And just as Paul was willing to live as a non-jew in order to reach the Gentiles with the gospel, so Hudson Taylor and Mother Teresa adopted the cultures of the countries that they evangelised in order to share the gospel with them. Our religious culture is where we are at home. It is our comfort zone, but we need to be clear that it is not the ground or root of our salvation. It is neither right nor wrong to attend a church that sings ancient hymns to organ music, or a church that sings contemporary Christian songs to a keyboard, guitars and drums. It is neither right nor wrong to attend a church where woman have their heads covered or uncovered; where woman wear no jewllery at all or lots of jewllery, where women are prevented from speaking or where they are congregational leaders. Let the Lord, through his word, guide your heart in these matters. RITCHIE WAY Editor of Unlimited Magazine and Director of Good News Unlimited Pastor Ritchie Way has served as a missionary, church administrator and pastor. He earned a BA in theology, and in 1985 he graduated with an MA in religion. Ritchie has, for the past decade, been the Executive Editor for the South Pacific Good News Unlimited magazines. Ritchie is a director of Good News Unlimited Ltd, and a published author.

8 word spreads fast through sacrifice Yesupadem Gives All He Has for the Gospel God s partners in the wonderful work of building halls in Andhra Pradesh, India, are men and women who have very little in this life, but what little they do have, they want to use to help spread the Word fast. These are halls where the Gospel will be preached and many souls saved. Yesupadem is a 65 year old resident of Venanapudi Colony. You may remember Venanapudi as one of the first villages visited by Pastor Joseph with the Good News Bus. He set up mats in the centre of the village and people gathered to hear the word of God amplified over the loud speaker. Because of the new loudspeaker system, people didn t need to leave their huts to hear the gospel. One of those was Yesupadem, who started hearing Pastor Joseph preach the Gospel from inside his hut. After the meeting, Yesupadem came to meet Pastor Joseph. I wish I d heard that great news long ago! I would not have suffered the way I have suffered. Yesupadem told Pastor Joseph that he has been a Christian for many years. He was a young boy when he was orphaned, and with no one to care for him, his schooling ended in the second class. He has been a fisherman all his life. He has been married twice, but both his wives died, and his children left him many years ago. All alone, he has maintained his faith, but it has recently blossomed as a result of the ministry of GNU. First Yesupadem started attending the meetings regularly, and now then he has started watching the Good News Unlimited TV program. How wonderful is it to have faith in Jesus! he says. He reads his Bible and prays every day. Now Yesupadem has come to Pastor Joseph with an offer. He doesn t own very much at all, but he has 550 square metres of land, which he wants to donate as the site for a Good News Hall in the village. He has a small hut on the land where he lives, but he now has a vision for how this land could be used to help spread the Word of the Gospel. Yesupadem (R) in his humble hut with Pr Joseph. He is poor in this world s wealth, but rich in the blessings of the Gospel. Another building project, and more people on fire for the Gospel, and the Word continues to spread fast in Andhra Pradesh. Please pray for it, says Pastor Joseph. It is a small enough request for a great work. ELIEZER GonZALEZ Senior Pastor, Good News Unlimited Eliezer Gonzalez is the Senior Pastor and CEO of Good News Unlimited. He is an international speaker and author, and is simply passionate about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eliezer has done a bit of study in theology and also in early Christian history. He lives on the sunny Gold Coast in Australia, with his astonishingly beautiful wife Ana, two teenage children whom he never, ever embarrasses, and a crazy dog called Theo. 06

9 word spreads fast to prisoners Laughter and Joy in a Place of Darkness GNU s Prison Ministry in Uganda 07 The man threw back his head and laughed, stopping Pastor David Kayumba in mid-sentence. I wish I d heard that great news long ago! I would not have suffered the way I have suffered. He looked around at the audience. We are all saved in the same way! I wish I d heard that great news long ago! I would not have suffered the way I have suffered. This Muslim sheik, incarcerated in Kigo Prison in Uganda for the past 26 year, had been attracted by the gospel tent erected by Pr David in the prison grounds. At first, he listened on the sidelines, coming gradually closer as he was drawn by the message that all people prisoners, guards and free people alike have the same need for, and access to, the mercy and salvation of Jesus Christ. The Best News These Men Had Ever Heard! The sheik was not the only person overjoyed. Other prisoners, who consider themselves worthless and the worst of society, could not hide their joy to learn that everyone can be put right with God through faith alone in the free gift of his Son. Pastor David writes, Freedom in Christ became their new chorus; not always welcome to everyone who visited, but the best news these men had ever heard. The Good News in a Dark Place Prison ministry in Uganda is tightly controlled by both the prison authorities and the organised churches. Any church wanting to conduct prison ministry must apply and be approved by the authorities. And GNU is not a church. However, the Lord provided friends who were willing and able to help Pastor David. One of these was Pastor Balwana Sentamu, a former minister in a local church, and well respected by the prison authorities, who has helped to open doors for GNU. The prisoners have received copies of Jesus Only, in either English or Telugu. The welfare officer told Pastor David: This is the largest donation of books we have ever received from a religious organisation. Thank you for considering us worthy of this donation. Great Need Great Hope Prison management has now asked Pastor David to organise an evangelistic crusade for prison officers in December. Pastor Balwana will run this campaign and Moses will help him in this work. They need your prayers, writes Pastor David. There is so much work to be done here, both for the prisoners and the officers. Pastor David tells us that the prisoners lack even the basic necessities of life, such as soap and bedding. And Pastor David has another challenge requiring a creative solution. Twenty-nine prisoners have already accepted Jesus. Now they are asking for baptism, and this will require a mobile baptistery. This is very important for the prisoners, because a certificate of baptism is tangible proof that these men are different, and that their intention to change their lives is real. Now GNU has begun the process of formal application to preach in Ugandan prisons. We have faith that God will remove any obstacles and the Word of the Gospel will spread fast through these places of great need. Pr. Balwana on left, Daphine (prison admin) and a senior prison officer (R) were all grateful for the message of the book Jesus Only in the prison. Photos within the prison and with the prisoners are not allowed. ELIEZER GonZALEZ Senior Pastor, Good News Unlimited

10 word spreads fast through Des Ford The Delay There is hardly a Christian who has not prayed for years for certain things that God has not granted. We all have desires we think legitimate, in harmony with the will of God, yet God seems to ignore our requests. We all have burdens we long to see lifted, maybe connected with our health, our job, our family, or our finances. It can be something connected with our lifework, some sort of thorn in the flesh, such as Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 12:7. Every Christian would like to believe that God is as harmless as a koala bear, as yielding as Santa Claus, as warm, as sufficient, as painless as the mother s womb, but he is not. In the beginning, we were ejected from a place of security because God wanted us to grow. Since then we have been magnified two billion times and if the process hadn t stopped we would ultimately have filled the world. God wasn t content with our being just a mass of cells that were not contributing. So we were thrown out into the cold, into a hard and often cruel world in order that we might grow, in order that we might bring forth fruit. But in the growing process we feel we are attending the University of Hard Knocks where the colours are black and blue and the school cry is Ouch. So I cry out to my best Friend but often he delays his answering assistance. He wants us to learn to trust him where we cannot trace him, to believe him though we cannot see him..... Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. What a strange story! Jesus learns that his dear friend is very ill and he exclaims Yes, so let s stay here. And the record says that his decision was because he loved his friends so much. Here is the mystery of divine delays - the mystery of protracted pain for people who are the beloved of Heaven. You will have noticed from the first sentence of John 11 that Christians should never think that because of their faith they will never know trouble and pain. If that were true, Christians would not get gray hair, need glasses, false teeth, or die. And who wouldn t want to be a Christian under those circumstances? The Church would be destroyed because it would be filled with rice Christians - members only because of the thought of selfish profit. Hezekiah got ill, the thief on the cross had his legs broken after being promised Paradise, and Job, the most perfect man of the East, was covered with painful boils from head to feet. The eleven faithful apostles were martyred. Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick. There are times when God seems to be leading us astray, even deceiving us. This sickness was unto death, yet Jesus said it wasn t. Why? Because Jesus always looks at the ultimate. You and I are too much concerned with the immediate, the present. It is hard for us to see the ultimate. We must weigh all events by that finale. Surely one of the hardest things in life is to wait. We hate suspense. But God trains us by permitting many waiting experiences. He wants us to learn to trust him where we cannot trace him, to believe him though we cannot see him. The story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus has just what we need - it has deep meaning for every one of us as it shows God s purposes in his delays of love. Note the opening verses of the story in John 11: Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one you love is sick. 08

11 09 s of Love If you were in a fight with Mohammed Ali and you knew you were going to win in the tenth round, you could put up with being knocked down occasionally as long as it was going to come out all right in the end. The Christian has that hope. But we are so deficient in faith; we so often look to ourselves and focus on the circumstances where we don t get the comfort we should. The death of Lazarus was only to be a sleep. We can either interpret him by circumstances or interpret circumstances by the Saviour. Christ was going to do something much better for the sisters and for Lazarus than merely raising him from a sick-bed. He was going to raise him after four days in the grave - surely something unique. And he wants to do something special for each of us. As soon as we were born, God had something planned for us, something to do that we can only do as we grow. But we grow by pain, which comes when the blessing of God seems to be delayed. Time has an irreplaceable part in our growth. God often delays his solution for the same reason the problem was permitted - to teach us to trust. We can either interpret him by circumstances or interpret circumstances by the Saviour. If we can learn this, then we will be able to relax in the hard places. Learn this, and you will be able to roll with the punches. Learn it, and though you may be knocked down, you will never be knocked out. Never forget it: all Christ s delays are delays of love. DES FORD Founder, Good News Unlimited Dr Desmond Ford is the founder of Good News Unlimited, a transdenominational and international gospel ministry. He has been a teacher, minister and theologian for more than sixty years. Never forget it: all Christ s delays are delays of love.

12 Jesus: The Greatest Teacher of All There are many excellent teachers today, as there have been throughout history. But Jesus was the greatest of them all. The greatest teachers retain a relevance in their teaching that extends beyond their immediate classroom and students. And so it is with Jesus. There is no other teacher whose teachings have become so widely known and studied, no other teacher in the whole of history whose words have influenced so many people. If his teaching has been, and still is so relevant to so many people, it would be wise to listen to what He said, to learn from it, and to apply it. There is no other teacher whose teachings have become so widely known and studied, no other teacher in the whole of history whose words have influenced so many people. What are some of His teachings? These are numerous, but we can glean a sample from His Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matt 5:43-48). But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things (Matt 6:33). Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you (Matt 7:1-4). do to others what you would have them do to you (Matt 7:12). We know from the biblical record that Jesus taught at numerous times and in many different places. He not only spoke directly, but He also frequently taught in stories and parables. But isn t it arrogant to say that Jesus was the greatest teacher of all? How can we possibly say such a thing? What is the evidence? Jesus has had more influence on history than any other person. His teachings are widely held in esteem, even among those who do not call themselves believers. Even critics will describe Him as a good man. Many say He was a prophet. Others say He was even more. What did Jesus say about Himself? The Gospel of John clearly outlines Jesus understanding of who He was. I and the Father are one. Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me? We are not stoning you for any good work, they replied, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God (John 10:30-33). Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. You are not yet fifty years old, they said to him, and you have seen Abraham! Very truly I tell you, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am! At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds (John 8:56-59). What was so significant about this claim, that His opponents picked up stones to stone Him? The answer is found Exodus chapter 3, where God appeared to Moses. God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you (Exodus 3:14). Jesus opponents clearly understood that Jesus was claiming to the great I am claiming to be God Himself. But the reason Jesus is the greatest teacher of all is not just because He taught some of the most ethical and inspiring principles ever known, but because He is divine. He is actually God! Imagine that: God Himself, the one who brought the universe into being, coming to earth and teaching us. 10

13 11 Wouldn t we be motivated to hear Him, then listen to Him, to read what He said? Note that Jesus was not just a great moral teacher. He taught important spiritual truth. Consider some of His statements which are truly transformative in their scope: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17). I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14: 2-3). The good news is that much of what Jesus said is recorded in the New Testament. There are four biographies of Him, and many of His words are contained in those writings. These biographies tell the story of Jesus and who He is. They tell how, despite being God, He came to earth, was born in a human way, lived a perfect life, spent a lot of time teaching and healing, was crucified as was predicted by the ancient prophets, and (of vital importance) rose again. He came back to life. He conquered the grave, and has promised to return again, so that His people, those who believe in Him can live forever with Him. There is no doubt that Jesus was a great teacher. He not only taught some of the greatest ethical teachings of all time, He also taught about Himself: that He is God. He accurately predicted His Death and resurrection (see Matthew 17:22-23), and taught that He is going to return. Jesus clearly was the greatest teacher of all. Won t you learn from Him and follow Him? Dr Philip Rodionoff Friend of Good News Unlimited Philip Rodionoff is a medical doctor who has a special interest in nutritional and preventive medicine. He also holds a Master s degree in Religion and has presented in many parts of the world on evidences for the Christian faith. He is the co-author of the Da Vinci Decode. He is happily married with three children and lives on the Gold Coast in Australia. But the reason Jesus is the greatest teacher of all is not just because He taught some of the most ethical and inspiring principles ever known, but because He is divine.

14 word spreads fast through service I am To do This Wo Construction Begins on th The children of the Good News Children s Care Centre have found happiness in knowing Jesus. When Duncan Wood and I visited Andhra Pradesh a few months ago, one of the many inspiring stories we brought back was our report on the Good News Children s Care Centre. This centre was begun by Pastor Joseph in response to the great need in the impoverished village of Nandiwada. The centre began in a hired room, but soon outgrew that confined space. A generous Hindu village elder, Narayanna Rao, was inspired by the change in the children and donated a small parcel of land. Since then, everyone has been praying that God will provide the means to build on this land, so Pastor Joseph can continue to teach and feed these children. The project is growing to fill the great need of this village. Pastor Joseph has drawn up plans for three halls: one for the children and for the care of the village s elderly people, a first floor to be used as a Good News Training Centre, and a second small building at the front of the property, which Pastor Joseph plans to use as a prayer hall that will be open 24 hours a day. Pastor Joseph is an active partner with God. He doesn t sit around waiting for God to do all the heavy lifting. He tells us: It is the Holy Spirit of God who inspired me to take a small loan of INR50,000 (about AU$1,000) from the bank to start the work without any delay. This would be enough for us to complete the pillars and beams of the building. And while we were doing this, some of the children s parents saw our work, and volunteered to help us. They are so happy that their children have this opportunity to learn, and that we will also care for their old people. We are also using this money to pay some skilled workers. We are able to bring you breaking news that God has used another generous GNU supporter for this special work. This person has donated sufficient funds for a concrete slab to be laid for the building. This is not just the floor of a building, but a foundation for eternity. The villagers are so poor that a number of them are happy to work on this project for the small amount of money Pastor Joseph can afford to pay them. Others, understanding the value of this centre to their village, have found a way to donate their time. Many of these Hindu people have already accepted the Gospel as a result of the impact The full happiness of Jesus is seen on their faces, says Pastor Joseph. Why? Because of the great blessings they have seen as a result of learning about Jesus and accepting him into their lives. The full happiness of Jesus is seen on their faces... Because of the great blessings they have seen as a result of learning about Jesus and accepting him into their lives. We d like you to meet some of the volunteers working on this project. Pavan is a stonemason, whose skills are invaluable for this building, both as an artisan and as a supervisor. He says, It is my great pleasure and honour to build the Children s Care and Elderly Care Centre. Through this 12

15 13 Proud and Honoured rk for Jesus Christ! e Good News Children s Care Centre work I have learned about Jesus, and accepted him into my life. Kiran Kumur is a young man of 22, who has offered his services to work on the building. He has already contributed 8 days of labour to the project. He says, This is the first time I have seen work like this done in this village. I am so grateful to be a part of building the Good News Centre. Working here, I have come to understand the wonderful life and salvation of Jesus. I now pray that many more people will come to know the true teachings and love of Jesus. Women help with the backbreaking work of carrying the sand. Subha Rao is 45 years of age and was born a Hindu. He saw what was happening at the Good News Children s Centre and at the prayer meetings, and he offered his services to help with the building. He had never volunteered like this before, but God had touched his heart at the meetings, and he found the happiness of the Gospel. It is a great help to my village to know more about Jesus and live in peace in Christ Jesus. I am so happy that these buildings will bless the lives of our children and elderly people. Naga Raju is 36 years old and was born a Hindu. He thanks his children for bringing home the good news of the Gospel, so that now he and his wife are also new Christians. It is solely because of this Good News Centre that my children have found salvation in Christ. They are studying and are very happy now. My wife and I are very grateful that we have come to know Jesus through our children. I learned that Pastor Joseph needed help to build the Good News Centre, so I have been happy to volunteer. Manikyalarao, like almost everyone in the village of Nandiwada, was a Hindu, with no knowledge of Christianity. But his son started attending the Good News Children s Centre. His son was so enthusiastic about the centre that Manikyalarao visited to see it for himself. He stayed to listen and volunteered to help on the building. He told Pastor Joseph: This is the first time I have volunteered like this. The joy and happiness of Jesus dwells in me, and my wife and I are so happy about what is happening in our village. I pray that all the Hindu people nearby will one day accept Jesus into their lives and find salvation in Jesus Christ. The Good News Children s and Elderly Care Centre is a building built on faith - an active faith that prays and builds, in the name of the Lord of the Gospel. How will the construction be finished? I will let Pastor Joseph explain it in his own words: The rest of the building we will need to put into the precious hands of God to complete. According to the will of God, we will do it. It is only by so much faith on Jesus that I this work is starting. ELIEZER GonZALEZ Senior Pastor, Good News Unlimited The base of the walls and the pillars have been set. Now sand has to go onto the base!

16 word spreads fast through Kingdom generosity My Whole Life Has Been Changed From Sadness into Joy An Interview with Deepak, the Mute Evangelist Deepak (R) and his father Ismael vow to use their blessings for the spreading of the Gospel! Recently, we published the story of Deepak, the Mute Evangelist. His heart s desire is to be an evangelist and to preach the gospel with his own voice, however he is mute. Until God heals him, he has dedicated his life to travelling long distances, on foot and often without food, to serve at evangelistic meetings, even if only by setting up chairs or serving water to the people who attend. A member of GNU s wonderful worldwide family read the story, and the Holy Spirit told them that they must help Deepak. As a result, this person has sponsored Deepak, so that Deepak is now receiving enough for him, his mother and father to eat, for his regular medications, and for his studies. He is now able to attend the Deaf School run by the Indian government. A bicycle has also been provided for Deepak and his father so they may travel to gospel meetings more easily. We interviewed Deepak and his father Ishmael about this miracle. In My Heart of Hearts I Had Been Praying How will this change your life, Deepak? Deepak: It is my greatest joy in the love of Jesus for my life to be turned around thanks to the sponsor. I never dreamed of how something like this could happen. But in my heart of hearts I had been praying to Jesus to get help for my life so that I might be able to spread the Gospel in many places. So now my whole life has been changed from sadness into joyful. Have there already been changes in your life, Deepak? Deepak: Yes, there are already a lot of changes in my life. Now I am fully happy in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit of God Who Has Arranged For This Great Blessing Ishmael, what would like to say to the sponsor? Ishmael: It is the Holy Spirit of God who has arranged for this great blessing for my son and for my family, through a godly person, who has a great heart for helping my son Deepak. We are very, very thankful to the sponsor for sponsoring. We pray for the sponsor s good health and for the sponsor s life. My son and I are thankful now and forever, in the mighty holy name of Jesus. The Supporters of GNU Have a Great Heart for Jesus What would you like to say to GNU supporters, Ishmael? Ishmael: We would like to say that the supporters of GNU have a great heart for Jesus. You all have been doing wonderful works by supporting GNU. GNU has been doing wonderful works by spreading the holy Gospel. We are very much thankful to GNU supporters. Because of the GNU supporters, GNU has been growing very fast in and around the world. We have the great privilege and opportunity to be part of GNU. We love and pray for GNU supporters in our daily prayers. Please pray for us and the Gospel work in India. For God All Things Are Possible Deepak, how will this change the way that you do Gospel ministry? Deepak: Now I have a great desire to do Gospel evangelism in many places in India. I want to use my life to do more Gospel works and reaching many more villages. Already I have gone to ten villages with the bicycle that the sponsor has provided. Many of the people have been surprised at the change in my life. I tell them that for God, all things are possible. In my life and through me, God has been turning impossible things into possible. I have a great plan this year to reach 100 villages with Pr Joseph for spreading the gospel. Interview facilitated by Pr Joseph Usala. Edited by Eliezer Gonzalez. 14

17 15 Are You Getting Enough? Without water we die. Generally sooner than if we had enough water. The problem is getting enough water. Of course, most of us have access to plenty of water. It is just that we don t actually drink enough. As we get older, the ratio of water within our cells declines. This is partly because our thirst mechanism declines. So we drink less. The added complication is that thirst is a late indicator of low body hydration. We start to develop dehydration long before we feel thirsty. So we need to drink more water, even if we don t feel like it. But why? What difference does it make? A great deal, actually. It used to be thought that water is simply a filler in the body. But we now know it is more than an uninvolved bystander. Without adequate hydration of the cells, the cell machinery does not work efficiently. Energy production is reduced, vital nutrients are not transported efficiently, waste elimination decreases. We age faster. It has been argued that chronic dehydration can have a negative effect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, gastric reflux, and even arthritis, asthma, autoimmune disease, anxiety and depression. So how much water should we take? And when? Most people should aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of pure water daily (filtered is better in many areas). This total will change depending on how much you weigh, how active LIFE TO THE FULL WITH DR PHILIP RODIONOFF you are and if you have any medical problems, e.g., kidney disease. It is important to note we are talking about pure water. The fluid content of most beverages and processed drinks does not count towards this total. A good indicator of hydration status is the colour of your urine. It should be clear or pale. As a rule, the darker the urine, the more pronounced the dehydration. Water should be taken throughout the day, but with the majority taken in the morning. It is ideal to drink 1-2 glasses of water on waking. Many people, especially older men, find it useful to minimise fluids in the evening. Some people find it useful to pour their target daily water intake into a glass bottle and then drink this total throughout the course of the day. Water is critical to our health. By optimising our intake of this vital nutrient, we can optimise the function of virtually every system in our body. It is one of the most effective health interventions we have. Are you getting enough? Dr Philip Rodionoff Director of Good News Unlimited Philip Rodionoff is a medical doctor who has a special interest in nutritional and preventive medicine. He also holds a Master s degree in Religion and has presented in many parts of the world on evidences for the Christian faith. He is the co-author of the Da Vinci Decode. He is happily married with three children and lives on the Gold Coast in Australia. By optimising our intake of this vital nutrient, we can optimise the function of virtually every system in our body.

18 LETTERS from our readers GNU is a meeting of minds from a wide range of church affiliations and therefore opinions expressed in our articles may differ from those of our readers. Recognising that opinions can differ, and that we all have much to learn and unlearn, we encourage our readers to participate in this forum. Dear Editor I ve never been able to justify to myself, or anyone else, why God struck down Ananias and his wife Sapphira for telling a lie. I d appreciate some enlightenment on this matter, please. C. C. Dear C. The Christian Church was still in its infancy. The members were demonstrating great personal sacrifice in getting this fledgling body up and running. And those who made the greatest sacrifices for the cause were honoured by the other members. The couple in question, however, wanted the crown without the cross. Their selfishness disqualified them as true followers of the Lord Jesus who said, Unless a man takes up his cross and follows me, he cannot be my disciple (Matt. 10:38). It was extremely important, at this early stage, to draw a clear line between those who followed Jesus and those who didn t. Mukurweiwi Nyeri, Kenya For people living in the days of a busy life with little time for spiritual matters, your program brings relief for lost souls. The messages you give are both inspiring and informative. Since I found the new channel, I listen to it weekly. I remain yours in Christ, Eva Wilson Kibiru Kapkanai Village, Kenya Wonderful greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I live every day in the strength I receive from Radio East Africa. It has been a source of encouragement for our society, and many from my community have been saved through listening to your radio programme. Our congregation also listens, and prays for you daily. In his glorious name, Ben Makem Mbarara Uganda I am a very good listener of Radio East Africa. Please keep up the spirit of the work you are doing and may God richly bless you for the work well done. Thank you so much for the good work of God that you are doing in me and my family plus my fellow Ugandans at large, and keep up the spirit. May God richly bless you, for you have converted many Ugandans, including me. I remain, Mugisha Nobert Kyambogo Uganda Allow me to thank you for the gospel, which is the true word of God, full of life and very practical. Because of the gospel I have learned through your radio programme, the Lord has given me the strength to say no to sin. Thank you so much. Yours in Christ, Ainembabazi Fortunate Dear Ritchie Why are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John called the four Gospels? Surely other books in the New Testament also proclaim the gospel clearly. I m thinking of 1 John in particular. T.B. Dear T. The four Gospels are essentially the story of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The book of Acts, however, is mainly about the ministry of the Holy Spirit who empowers the followers of the Lord Jesus to carry the gospel to all the world. Other books in the New Testament focus on issues such as keeping the gospel free of man-made teachings. 16

19 understand Jesus in a whole new way! Sign up at GoodNewsUnlimited.com to receive your Daily Good News devotional. Your Biography As revealed in the seven saints of Genesis Desmond Ford Why GOD? get Des books free! Dr Desmond Ford Abridged and Simplified by Ritchie Way Fate has no eyes, but the eyes of the Lord are upon every square inch of the earth Desmond Desmond Ford Ford In a Topsy Turvy World How Live to Many of Des books are now available for free download in PDF from our website! Get them here: